Northern Ireland farmer convicted of multiple water pollution offences affecting Clady River

The Clady River, Portglenone

In a stark reminder of the environmental risks posed by agricultural practices, a farmer from County Down has been convicted of three offences related to water pollution that impacted the Clady River near Portglenone.

Trevor Shields, 65, of Moyad Road, Kilkeel, appeared at Magherafelt Magistrates’ Court, sitting in Londonderry, where he pleaded guilty to breaches under Article 7(1)(a) of the Water (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 as amended.

The court imposed a total fine of £1,750, along with a £30 Offenders Levy, following incidents that saw harmful effluents discharged into the waterway, a tributary of the Lower Bann River.

The case underscores the ongoing challenges in safeguarding Northern Ireland’s rivers from pollution, particularly in rural farming areas where effluent management is critical.

The offences stem from three separate reports investigated by Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) Water Quality Inspectors.

The first incident occurred on 4 February 2022, when inspectors responded to reports of farm effluent flowing along the Mullaghnamoyagh Road in Portglenone before entering the Clady River.

According to court details, the discharge originated from an access lane on Shields’ farm, spilling onto the public road and then into the waterway via a roadside gulley.

Inspectors found no storage facilities on the premises to contain the effluent, allowing it to escape unchecked. A dye test confirmed the connection between the farm discharge and the river, covering a distance of approximately 500 metres through public roadways and piped drains.

Just months later, on 24 June 2022, a second pollution report prompted another inspection.

A brown coloured liquid was seen escaping from the same farm, flowing along the Mullaghnamoyagh Road and into a roadside gulley, ultimately discharging into the Clady River.

The most recent offence took place between 3 and 5 June 2024, when inspectors traced pig slurry discharging directly into the Clady River back to Shields’ pig farm on Mullaghnamoyagh Road.

On-site, they discovered a storm drain containing a very dark coloured liquid with the odour of pig slurry. A dye test again demonstrated a direct link between the drainage chamber and the river.

In all instances, samples of the discharges were collected and analysed, revealing that the material contained poisonous, noxious or polluting matter which would have been potentially harmful to aquatic life in a receiving waterway.

Such pollutants can devastate local ecosystems, affecting fish populations and broader biodiversity in rivers like the Clady, which feeds into the ecologically significant Lower Bann.

The convictions highlight the legal framework governing water protection in Northern Ireland. Under the Water (Northern Ireland) Order 1999, as amended by the Water and Sewerage Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006, it is an offence to make a polluting discharge to a waterway under Article 7(1)(a), to discharge trade or sewage effluent into a waterway under Article 7(2), or to contravene conditions of a consent under Article 7(6), among other provisions.

This list is not exhaustive, but it emphasises the strict regulations aimed at preventing environmental harm.

NIEA officials have reiterated the importance of proper effluent management on farms, urging landowners to invest in adequate storage and drainage systems to comply with the law.

The agency operates a 24-hour Incident Hotline for the public to report suspected pollution, accessible on 0800 80 70 60. Early reporting can help mitigate damage to waterways and hold polluters accountable.

This case comes amid growing concerns over agricultural pollution in the UK, where runoff from farms contributes to nutrient overloads and habitat degradation in rivers and lakes.

In Northern Ireland, the Clady River’s role as a tributary to the Lower Bann makes it particularly vulnerable, as pollutants can spread downstream, affecting angling, wildlife, and water quality for communities.

Environmental campaigners have welcomed the conviction, viewing it as a necessary step towards enforcing accountability. However, they argue that fines alone may not deter repeat offenders, calling for enhanced support for farmers to adopt sustainable practices, such as improved slurry storage and precision farming techniques.

Shields’ guilty plea and the resulting penalties serve as a cautionary tale for the agricultural sector. As climate change exacerbates pressures on water resources, maintaining compliance with environmental laws is essential to preserve Northern Ireland’s natural heritage for future generations.

For more information on water pollution regulations or to report an incident, visit the NIEA website or contact the hotline.